After seeing Jiang Li off, a terrified Bai San returned to Linglong’s room. The moment he entered, he saw Chen Li, who said, "Bai San, tell me everything about the Black Market."
One look from Chen Li sent a shiver down Bai San’s spine. He hastily bowed, his tone filled with unprecedented reverence and sycophancy, and spilled everything he knew like beans from a bamboo tube.
"Master Chen, you’ve certainly come to the right person. I’m not much, but years ago, to make a living, I spent some time in that Black Market. I wouldn’t say I know it like the back of my hand, but I’ve got a pretty clear picture of its ins and outs."
Seeing Chen Li frown, Bai San quickly suppressed his urge to show off, swallowed, and said, "The place isn’t in our Jingshan County. You have to head east, into the territory of Jiangkou County. It’s in a dense forest over thirty li from Jiangkou County Town. Ordinary people could never find the entrance; you need someone familiar with the place to lead the way."
"And the origin of this Black Market... it’s quite a story!"
Bai San lowered his voice. "They say it was single-handedly established over twenty years ago by the famous Jianghu elder, the Pig Emperor. This Senior Pig Emperor was an incredible figure in his day. Rumor has it his skills reached the pinnacle of perfection, and he was long a top-tier expert of the Grandmaster Level. Back then, he was a powerful and tyrannical lord who dominated a region, his word was law.
For some reason, he later washed his hands of the Jianghu, chose that spot, laid down the rules, and established this Black Market. With him presiding over it, both the righteous and unorthodox paths have to give him some face. That’s why no one dares to cause trouble inside the Black Market."
"And precisely because of Senior Pig Emperor’s reputation keeping things in check, the order within the Black Market is extremely strict, and the rules are numerous."
Bai San explained, "When you go inside to trade, as long as you follow the rules, buying, selling, and gathering information is actually safer than in many places on the outside. No one dares to rob people inside the Black Market. Outside, though, bandits are as common as ox hair. Robbery and murder, dog-eat-dog... that’s an everyday occurrence..."
At this point, Bai San glanced at Chen Li and asked tentatively, "Master, are you going to the Black Market to find someone?"
Chen Li nodded.
Bai San chuckled. "Inside the Black Market, there’s a ’Gossip’ who specializes in selling all kinds of information. As long as you’re willing to pay the price, if you’re looking for someone or something, he can most likely point you in the right direction. But... that old coot only deals in gold."
Just then, Linglong, who was standing to the side, parted her red lips, her voice soft and charming. "Senior, if you are going to the Black Market, may I please come along? It’s been so... quiet at the pavilion lately. I have nothing to do all day, and I’m bored to death."
Chen Li considered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
’The Black Market is extremely dangerous. Linglong is also at the Spirit Realm. Bringing her along might prove useful.’
"Alright, you two will come with me. Shouye, we’re going home first."
A moment later, Chen Li and his group left the Drunken Creek Pavilion.
They first returned to the house in Lingxi to retrieve the gold leaves they had acquired from the Sect’s stronghold, then the four of them rode swiftly toward Jiangkou.
...
「Two days later.」
「Thirty li outside Jiangkou County.」
On a stretch of endless plains, a dense forest suddenly appeared.
Bai San, their guide, gestured for everyone to dismount. He tied the horses in a hidden spot outside the forest and said in a low voice, "Master, we can only proceed on foot from here."
The group followed Bai San along a small path leading deep into the forest.
About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, the view suddenly opened up before them.
Hidden in the depths was a massive stone-built castle.
Its walls were constructed from huge, gray-blue stone blocks, covered in thick moss and vines that made it blend almost perfectly with its surroundings.
Figures could be faintly seen moving atop the high walls, and the security was tight.
Bai San moved closer and explained the rules. "Master, everyone, you must remember the rules inside. The fortress gate opens at 5:00 PM and closes at 3:00 AM every day. The entrance fee is ten taels of silver per person, per day. When the time is up, you have to leave. If you don’t, you’ll have to pay a hefty late fee. The consequences for not paying are unthinkable!"
Just then, as 5:00 PM approached, figures began to appear from all directions, converging like ghosts.
After paying the silver coins, they silently merged into the crowd and passed through the heavy fortress gate as it slowly opened.
Chen Li’s group moved along with them.
Outside the gate, they paid their silver coins and stepped inside.
The scene inside the gate was completely different from what they had imagined.
Before them was not an open courtyard or a network of streets, but a single, enormous stone hall with a shockingly high ceiling.
The hall was primarily lit by long, narrow windows carved high up on the walls, and by braziers and oil lamps hanging in various places.
The dim, yellow light cast by the lamps cut the vast space into a patchwork of light and shadow.
The air carried the faint scent of smoke, medicinal herbs, and the unique cool dampness of an underground space.
The vaulted ceiling was supported by massive stone pillars, each so thick that it would take several people to encircle one.
Along the surrounding stone walls, a series of uniform arched doorways or alcoves had been carved out.
Above each doorway hung a wooden sign or a lantern, marking them with characters like "Medicine," "Weapons," "Tomes," "Misc," and "Info."
These were the shops of the Black Market.
The flow of people moved through the great hall, but everyone seemed to have a clear purpose, walking briskly and speaking in hushed tones.
"Master, this way."
Bai San was clearly quite familiar with the place. He said in a low voice, "Gossip’s stone room is in the southeast corner. That old guy has the best information, but his prices are the most outrageous."
He led the three of them through the massive pillars and dim shadows, finally stopping before an inconspicuous arched stone doorway.
He knocked and pushed the door open.
The stone room was even dimmer than outside, lit only by a single, flickering oil lamp.
A short, scrawny old man with a goatee and eyes narrowed to slits was sitting behind a stone desk, fiddling with an abacus.
Seeing someone enter, he lazily lifted his eyelids to glance at them, his voice hoarse. "Looking for someone, or something?"
Bai San took a step forward, a fawning smile on his face. "Master Bao, these masters would like to ask about a few people."
With that, he gestured to Chen Li.
Chen Li had Shouye step forward and describe the appearances of Li Weikun, Li Jiwei, and Li Jinru, as well as the approximate time they would have entered the Black Market.
A glint of cunning flashed in Gossip’s narrowed eyes. His withered fingers fiddled with the abacus for a moment before he said slowly, "The whereabouts of those three... This old man does happen to know. However, this information isn’t cheap. Ten taels... of gold."
’Ten taels of gold! That expensive?’
Hearing this, Chen Shouye sucked in a sharp breath.
Chen Li directly took out two gold leaves from his robes and placed them on the stone desk.
"A straightforward customer."
The moment Gossip saw the gold leaves, a satisfied smile spread across his face. He quickly swept them under the desk, then lowered his voice. "Those three you’re looking for, they had some bad luck. Broke the rules inside the fortress and got into a fight. Right now, they’re locked up in the stone cells to the east, chewing on cold buns."
"How do we get them out?"
Chen Li asked.
"Simple. According to the fortress rules, you just pay to ransom them. Fifty taels of gold per person, so that’s one hundred and fifty taels for the three of them. Pay up, and they’ll be released immediately."
Gossip said it as if it were nothing.